JP5503908B2 - Tool changing mechanism and method for machining center - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a tool changing mechanism and a tool changing method in a machining center.

In the machining center, a plurality of types of tools are held in an internal magazine, and according to the machining program, the workpiece is processed by a tool that is gripped by the rotating spindle, and a tool that is gripped by the rotating spindle is selected according to the processing part of the workpiece. The tool is replaced with a tool held in the internal magazine.
The machining center has versatility to process a plurality of types of parts, and it is necessary to appropriately change the tool to be used depending on the parts to be processed. Therefore, when the parts to be processed are different, it is necessary to replace some tools held in the internal magazine with other tools.

  Further, for example, in the tool change method and the tool change device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a work pallet on which a work is set by a transfer conveyor is cyclically conveyed to a plurality of machining centers and the type of work to be processed is changed, It is disclosed that a tool pallet on which necessary tools are set is transported to a machining center requiring replacement by a transport conveyor. Also, for example, in the tool transfer system of Patent Document 2, it is disclosed that a tool held in a tool magazine in a machining center is replaced with a tool held in a separately prepared tool transfer magazine using a transfer unit.

JP 2005-169586 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-161232

However, in a machining center having an internal magazine for holding a plurality of types of tools, when the tool held in the internal magazine needs to be replaced, an operator intervenes to perform the tool replacement work. For this reason, when the type of workpiece to be processed is changed, it takes time to replace the tool, and it has been difficult to improve the productivity in the machining center.
In Patent Document 2, it is disclosed that a plurality of tools are held in a tool transfer magazine and transferred to a machining center. How to exchange tools between the tool transfer magazine and the tool magazine is disclosed. Is not described at all.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and is capable of preventing the complication of the apparatus, reducing the time required for tool replacement, and improving the productivity in the machining center, and Is to provide a method .

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an internal magazine provided with a plurality of internal holding portions for holding a tool, and any one of a plurality of tools held in the internal magazine are gripped, and three-dimensionally moved to perform rotation processing. A tool change mechanism configured in a machining center having a rotation spindle,
The machining center includes an external magazine that is detachably installed on a processing table configured to rotate, and the external magazine includes a plurality of external holding portions for holding the tool.
The plurality of internal holding portions are arranged circumferentially in the internal magazine, and the internal magazine circulates the plurality of internal holding portions and sequentially sets each internal holding portion to a specific internal delivery position. It is structured so that it can be determined.
The plurality of external holding portions are arranged circumferentially in the external magazine, and the external magazine is arranged on the processing table such that the center of the circle of the plurality of external holding portions coincides with the rotation center of the processing table. The processing table is configured to circulate the plurality of external holding units so that each external holding unit can be sequentially indexed to a specific external delivery position.
Both the rotation axis of the internal magazine and the rotation axis of the processing table are provided in the vertical direction, and are arranged in parallel to each other.
The rotation main shaft delivers a tool to the delivery internal holding unit that is the internal holding unit moved to the internal delivery position, and also to the delivery external holding unit that is the external holding unit moved to the external delivery position. It is configured to deliver tools to the
The internal delivery position and the external delivery position are set at positions where the delivery opening in the delivery internal holding part and the delivery opening in the delivery external holding part face each other,
The external magazine when placed in the working table, a tool in the delivery internal holder by moving the rotary spindle while gripped by the main spindle and transferred to the transfer external retention part, the said delivery external holding part The tool changing mechanism of the machining center is characterized in that the tool is gripped by the rotating main shaft and moved to the delivery internal holding portion by moving the rotating main shaft .

In the second reference invention, an internal magazine provided with a plurality of internal holding portions for holding a tool, and any one of a plurality of tools held in the internal magazine are gripped, and three-dimensionally moved and rotated. An external magazine that is detachably installed on a machining table in a machining center having a rotating spindle to perform,
It has a plurality of external holding parts for holding the tool,
When installed on the processing table, the tool held by the internal holding unit is received by the external holding unit and the tool held by the external holding unit is transferred to the internal holding unit by the movement of the rotating spindle. The external magazine is used for a tool change mechanism of a machining center .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an internal magazine provided with a plurality of internal holding portions for holding a tool, and any one of the plurality of tools held in the internal magazine are gripped, and three-dimensionally moved and rotated. A tool change method for use in a machining center having a rotating spindle,
In the machining center , using an external magazine that is detachably installed on a processing table configured to rotate, the external magazine is formed with a plurality of external holding portions for holding the tool ,
The plurality of internal holding portions are arranged circumferentially in the internal magazine, and the internal magazine circulates the plurality of internal holding portions and sequentially sets each internal holding portion to a specific internal delivery position. To be able to figure out,
The plurality of external holding portions are arranged circumferentially in the external magazine, and the external magazine is arranged on the processing table such that the center of the circle of the plurality of external holding portions coincides with the rotation center of the processing table. The processing table is configured to circulate the plurality of external holding units so that each external holding unit can be sequentially indexed to a specific external delivery position.
The pivot axis of the internal magazine and the pivot axis of the processing table are both provided in the vertical direction and arranged in parallel to each other.
The rotation main shaft delivers a tool to the delivery internal holding unit that is the internal holding unit moved to the internal delivery position, and also to the delivery external holding unit that is the external holding unit moved to the external delivery position. Configured to deliver tools to the
The internal delivery position and the external delivery position are set at positions where the delivery opening in the delivery internal holding part and the delivery opening in the delivery external holding part face each other,
Outside the machining center, after a tool is held in the plurality of external holding portions in the external magazine, a carrying-in step of carrying the external magazine into the processing table and installing it;
The tool in the delivery internal holding unit is gripped by the rotation main shaft, and the rotation main shaft is moved and transferred to the delivery external holding unit, and the tool in the delivery external holding unit is gripped by the rotation main shaft and the rotation main shaft. A transfer step of moving the transfer to the delivery internal holding unit ,
The external magazine in machining center tool exchange method characterized by comprising the unloading step for unloading from the processing table (claim 5).

In the tool exchanging mechanism of the first invention, in a setup operation for changing the type of a workpiece to be machined, when exchanging a tool unnecessary for machining the next type of workpiece with a tool necessary for the next machining. Using an external magazine that holds tools necessary for machining the following types of workpieces, the rotating spindle of the machining center is used. When the external magazine is installed on the processing table, unnecessary tools in the internal holding unit are transferred to the external holding unit and necessary tools in the external holding unit are transferred to the internal holding unit by moving the rotation spindle. .
Thereby, when exchanging the tool, it is not necessary to separately use an apparatus for exchanging the tool, and the machining center can be prevented from being enlarged, and the tool can be exchanged extremely easily.

In addition, since the tool is exchanged by the rotation spindle, the tool exchange operation between the internal magazine and the external magazine can be automatically performed by a program in the machining center. As a result, the time required for tool replacement can be greatly shortened, and the productivity in the machining center can be improved. Furthermore, the tool change mechanism of the present invention can be easily added to an existing machining center.
Therefore, according to the tool replacement mechanism of the first invention, it is possible to prevent the apparatus from becoming complicated, reduce the time required for tool replacement, and improve the productivity in the machining center.

According to the external magazine used for the tool change mechanism of the second reference invention, as in the first invention, the apparatus is prevented from becoming complicated, the time required for tool change is shortened, and the productivity in the machining center is improved. Can do.
According to the tool replacement method of the third invention, as in the first invention, it is possible to prevent complication of the apparatus, reduce the time required for tool replacement, and improve the productivity in the machining center.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory plan view showing a tool changing mechanism in the machining center according to the first embodiment. Side explanatory drawing which shows the tool exchange mechanism in the machining center in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory plan view illustrating an enlarged main part of the tool replacement mechanism in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory plan view showing an example of a tool in the first embodiment. Sectional explanatory drawing which shows the rotation main axis | shaft in Example 1 before attaching a tool. Sectional explanatory drawing which shows the rotating main shaft in the state which attached the tool in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory plan view showing a state in which a tool is taken out from an internal magazine by a rotation spindle in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory plan view illustrating a state in which a tool is delivered to an external magazine by a rotation spindle in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory plan view showing a state where the external magazine is rotated in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory plan view illustrating a state in which a tool is received from an external magazine by a rotation spindle in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory plan view illustrating a state in which a tool is delivered to an internal magazine by a rotation spindle in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory plan view showing a state where the internal magazine is rotated in the first embodiment. Sectional explanatory drawing which shows the tool and rotation main axis | shaft of the other structure in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory plan view showing a tool changing mechanism in a machining center in Embodiment 2. FIG. 9 is an explanatory plan view showing a tool changing mechanism in another machining center according to the second embodiment.

A preferred embodiment in the first and third inventions described above will be described.
In the first and third inventions, the plurality of internal holding portions are arranged in an annular shape in the internal magazine, and the internal magazine circulates the plurality of internal holding portions, Can be sequentially indexed to a specific internal delivery position, the plurality of external holding portions are arranged in a ring shape in the external magazine, and the processing table circulates the plurality of external holding portions. Each of the external holding portions can be sequentially indexed to a specific external delivery position, and the rotation main shaft is moved relative to the delivery internal holding portion which is the internal holding portion moved to the internal delivery position. In addition to delivering the tool, the tool is delivered to the delivery external holding unit which is the external holding unit moved to the external delivery position .

In this case, the rotary spindle only needs to move to the internal delivery position when delivering the tool to / from the internal magazine, and always to the external delivery position when delivering the tool to / from the external magazine. Just move. In addition, the internal magazine can sequentially index (send out) each internal holding portion that holds a tool unnecessary for processing the next type of workpiece to the internal delivery position. Furthermore, the machining table can sequentially index (send out) each external holding unit that holds a tool necessary for machining the next type of workpiece to the external delivery position.
Therefore, when changing the tool, it is possible to shorten the path along which the rotating spindle moves, and to further reduce the time required for changing the tool.

In the first and third aspects of the invention, the processing table is configured to rotate, and the external magazine is formed by arranging the plurality of external holding portions in a circumferential shape, with the circle center at the center. It is configured to be installed on the processing table so as to coincide with the rotation center of the processing table .
In this case, each external holding part in the external magazine can be easily indexed to the external delivery position by the rotation of the processing table.

In the first and third aspects of the invention, all of the tools are formed with holding grooves at one or a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction as a common portion, and the plurality of internal holding portions are connected to the internal delivery portion. When moved to the position, the groove engaging portion that engages with the holding groove is directed in a certain direction, and when the plurality of external holding portions move to the external delivery position, the groove engaging portions engage with the holding groove. it is preferred that are configured to direct the groove engagement portion for engagement to the predetermined direction (claim 2, 6).
In this case, it is possible to further shorten the moving path of the rotating spindle that moves to the delivery internal holding unit and the delivery external holding unit.

The internal delivery position and the external delivery position are 180 positions positioned on the front side of the internal magazine in the front-rear direction of the machining center as a position where the delivery opening in the delivery internal holding part and the delivery opening in the delivery external holding part face each other. It can be set within a range of 180 ° and within a range of 180 ° located on the rear side of the external magazine. More preferably, the internal delivery position and the external delivery position are located within a 45 ° left and right range (within 90 ° in the left and right range) located on the front side of the internal magazine and on the rear side of the external magazine. It can be set within a range of 45 ° on the left and right (within a range of 90 ° on the left and right).
The holding groove provided in the tool can be used for stopping the tool with respect to the rotation spindle. In addition to the holding groove, the tool may be provided with a key groove for stopping rotation with respect to the rotation main shaft.

In the first and third aspects of the invention, the rotation spindle may be configured to deliver a tool between the delivery internal holding part and the delivery external holding part with a constant rotational position. (Claims 3 and 7 ).
In this case, the tool can be delivered by moving the rotating spindle linearly with the rotation position of the rotating spindle fixed, and the moving path of the rotating spindle can be further shortened.

In the first and third aspects of the invention, the rotation main shaft is set to the first rotation position, and the tool is transferred to and from the delivery internal holding portion, and the rotation position is set to the second rotation position. It can also be configured to deliver the tool to and from the delivery external holding portion in the rotation position (claims 4 , 8 ).
In this case, the groove engaging part in the delivery internal holding part and the groove engaging part in the delivery external holding part are oriented in different directions, and the rotation main shaft can be easily rotated and stopped at the two rotational positions. This can be dealt with.

In the second reference invention, all of the tools are formed with holding grooves at one or a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction as a common portion, and the plurality of external holding portions are circumferentially formed in the external magazine. And the groove engaging portions that engage with the holding grooves are formed in the same direction with respect to the circumferentially arranged circle centers, and the circumferentially arranged circles. It is preferable that the tool can be delivered by moving the tool in the radial direction with respect to the center .
In this case, the structure of the external magazine is optimal, and the time required for tool replacement can be further shortened by sequentially rotating the external magazine installed on the processing table at the circumferential index intervals where the external holding portions are arranged. be able to.

Embodiments of a tool change mechanism and method for a machining center and an external magazine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Example 1
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tool changing mechanism 1 of the machining center 2 in this example is configured to exchange the tool 6 held by the rotating spindle 3 of the machining center 2 between the internal magazine 4 and the external magazine 5. It is. The machining center 2 holds one of the internal magazine 4 provided with a plurality of internal holding portions 41 for holding the tool 6 and the plurality of tools 6 held in the internal magazine 4, and moves three-dimensionally to rotate. And a rotation main shaft 3 for performing The tool exchange mechanism 1 includes an external magazine 5 that is detachably installed on the machining table 21 in the machining center 2.
As shown in FIG. 3, the external magazine 5 has a plurality of external holding portions 51 that hold the tool 6 that is held by the internal holding portion 41. When the external magazine 5 is set on the processing table 21, the tool exchanging mechanism 1 moves the tool 6 in the internal holding portion 41 to the external holding portion 51 and moves the tool 6 in the external holding portion 51 by moving the rotary spindle 3. Is transferred to the internal holding part 41.

Hereinafter, the tool change mechanism 1 and method of the machining center 2 and the external magazine 5 of the machining center 2 according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the machining center 2 of this example has versatility so that various types of processing can be performed on a plurality of types of workpieces. The machining center 2 is configured such that the tool 6 held on the rotary spindle 3 can be replaced with another tool 6 held on the internal magazine 4 depending on the part and type of workpiece to be processed. Further, the machining table 21 is configured to rotate around a rotation axis provided in the vertical direction. The machining center 2 is configured to rotate the workpiece placed on the machining table 21 and perform the machining by rotating the workpiece 6 gripped on the rotation spindle 3 while moving it three-dimensionally.

As shown in FIG. 3, the internal magazine 4 built in the machining center 2 is formed by arranging a plurality of internal holding portions 41 for holding the tool 6 at equal intervals in a circumferential shape. It is comprised so that it may rotate around the rotating shaft provided in the circle center. The internal magazine 4 is configured to rotate at an indexing interval in the circumferential direction R in which the internal holding parts 41 are arranged so that the internal holding parts 41 can be sequentially indexed to a specific internal delivery position 401.
The rotation axis of the internal magazine 4 and the rotation axis of the processing table 21 are both provided in the vertical direction and are arranged in parallel to each other.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the machining table 21 is provided with clamping means 22 for placing and clamping the pallet holding the workpiece. The external magazine 5 of this example is formed on a base portion 56 having a shape common to the base portion of the pallet that holds the workpiece. When the external magazine 5 is placed on the processing table 21, the clamp unit 22 clamps and fixes the base portion 56 of the external magazine 5.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the tool 6 used in the machining center 2. The tool 6 has various shapes. In FIG. 2, the maximum outer shape of the tool 6 that can be considered is indicated by being surrounded by a two-dot chain square frame. FIG. 5 shows the rotary spindle 3 before the tool 6 is attached, and FIG. 6 shows the rotary spindle 3 with the tool 6 attached.
As shown in FIG. 4, all of the tools 6 attached to the rotary spindle 3 have, as a common part, a gripped part 61 gripped by the rotary spindle 3, a flange part 62 having a diameter larger than the gripped part 61, and rotation A key groove 63 for stopping rotation with respect to the main shaft 3, a holding groove 64 formed in the flange portion 62 in the same direction as the key groove 63, and a coolant receiving portion 65 for receiving coolant at the center of the tool 6. Have. All of the tools 6 have tool body portions 60 of various shapes below the flange portion 62. The key groove 63 is formed in a pair at portions that are opposed to each other in the radial direction, and the holding groove 64 is formed in a pair at the same portion as the circumferential formation portion of the key groove 63.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rotation main shaft 3 includes a grip portion 31 that grips the gripped portion 61 and a rotation stop portion 32 that engages with the key groove 63. The gripping portion 31 includes a tapered inner peripheral surface 311 to which a tapered outer peripheral surface of the gripped portion 61 in the tool 6 is fitted, a coolant supply portion 312 that supplies coolant to the coolant receiving portion 65 in the tool 6, And a holding unit 313 for releasing the holding. And the holding part 31 is comprised so that the tool 6 may be hold | gripped or the cancellation | release of a holding | grip in the state which performed center position determination. Further, when the tool 6 is gripped by the rotary spindle 3, the flange portion 62 of the tool 6 faces the grip portion 31 of the rotary spindle 3. The rotation stoppers 32 are provided in a pair in the same direction as the key groove 63 in the tool 6, and are configured to engage the pair of key grooves 63 to prevent the tool 6 from rotating.

As shown in FIG. 2, the external magazine 5 has a support column 57 erected with respect to a base unit 56 (a pallet having the same shape as that of a pallet that holds a workpiece). A plurality of external holding parts 51 for holding the tool 6 are arranged circumferentially at equal intervals. The processing table 21 of this example is a rotary table that rotates about an axis perpendicular to the placement surface. The external magazine 5 is configured to be installed on the processing table 21 so that the circle centers of the plurality of external holding portions 51 coincide with the rotation center of the processing table 21.
As shown in FIG. 3, the external holding portion 51 is configured to insert and hold the tool 6 from the radially outer peripheral side with respect to the center of the external magazine 5, and is formed in common with the flange portion 62 of the tool 6. A locking portion 52 that locks the groove portion 621, a pair of receiving portions 53 that are located on both sides of the locking portion 52 in the circumferential direction R of the outer magazine 5 and prevents the tool 6 from coming out, and a pair of holding grooves 64 And a groove engaging portion 54 that engages with one side.

The receiving portion 53 is urged by a spring 531 in a direction that prevents the tool 6 from coming out. The groove engaging portion 54 is formed so as to protrude toward the radially outer peripheral side at an intermediate position in the circumferential direction R of the locking portion 52. When the tool 6 is inserted into the locking portion 52 from the outer peripheral side, the space between the pair of receiving portions 53 is opened against the urging force of the spring 531, and the locking portion 52 is inserted into the groove portion 621 of the tool 6. When the groove engaging portion 54 is engaged with one of the holding grooves 64 of the tool 6, the pair of receiving portions 53 are restored by the biasing force of the spring 531, and the tool 6 is pulled out to the outer peripheral side. Is prevented.
Further, by engaging the groove engaging portion 54 with the one holding groove 64, the direction of the tool 6 in the circumferential direction R (the direction of the key groove 63) with respect to the external holding portion 51 is fixed.
Further, when the plurality of external holding portions 51 are moved to the external delivery position 501, the groove engaging portions 54 that engage with the holding grooves 64 of the tool 6 are directed in a certain direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rotary spindle 3 delivers the tool 6 to the delivery internal holding portion 41 </ b> A which is the internal holding portion 41 rotated to the internal delivery position 401, and also rotates the external spindle 501 to the external delivery position 501. The tool 6 is delivered to the delivery external holding unit 51A which is the holding unit 51.
The internal delivery position 401 in the internal magazine 4 and the external delivery position 501 in the external magazine 5 are the side where the internal magazine 4 and the external magazine 5 face each other, that is, the delivery opening 411 and delivery in the delivery internal holding part 41A. The delivery opening 511 in the external holding part 51A is set at a position facing each other. The internal delivery position 401 of the internal magazine 4 of this example is formed at a position slightly rotated to the right from the center of the internal magazine 4, and the delivery internal holding part 41A is located at the position of the machining center 2 at the position slightly rotated to the right. It is formed toward the front side (within a left and right 45 ° range located on the front side in the internal magazine 4). In the figure, the front side is indicated by an arrow F.

Moreover, the internal holding part 41 in the internal magazine 4 has the same configuration as the external holding part 51 in the external magazine 5, and is provided with a locking part 42, a receiving part 43, a spring 431, and a groove engaging part 44. Is formed. Further, each internal holding portion 41 is configured to insert and hold the tool 6 from the radially outer peripheral side with respect to the center of the internal magazine 4.
Further, when the plurality of internal holding portions 41 are moved to the internal delivery position 401, the groove engaging portions 44 that engage with the holding grooves 64 of the tool 6 are directed in a certain direction.
The external delivery position 501 of the external magazine 5 installed on the processing table 21 of this example is formed at a position slightly rotated to the right from the center of the processing table 21, and the delivery external holding portion 51A has been rotated slightly to the right. At the position, it is formed toward the rear side of the machining center 2 (within a range of 45 ° left and right located on the rear side of the external magazine 5).

As shown in FIG. 3, the rotation spindle 3 of this example includes a first rotation position 301 for exchanging the internal holding part 41 and the tool 6 of the internal magazine 4, and the external holding part 51 and the tool 6 of the external magazine 5. The rotation is stopped at two rotation positions including a second rotation position 302 for delivery.
The rotation main shaft 3 is configured to deliver the tool 6 to and from the delivery internal holding portion 41A with the rotation position set to the first rotation position 301. The first rotation position 301 is a rotation position at which the orientation of the rotation-preventing portion 32 of the rotation spindle 3 coincides with the circumferential orientation of the groove engaging portion 54 in the delivery internal holding portion 41A. The rotation spindle 3 is configured to deliver the tool 6 to and from the delivery external holding portion 51A with the rotation position set to the second rotation position 302. The second rotation position 302 is a rotation position at which the orientation of the rotation-preventing portion 32 of the rotation spindle 3 coincides with the orientation of the groove engaging portion 54 in the delivery external holding portion 51A.
The rotation spindle 3 of this example stops rotating at the first rotation position 301, moves in the radial direction with respect to the delivery internal holding portion 41A, delivers the tool 6 to and from the delivery internal holding portion 41A, and performs the second rotation. The rotation is stopped at the position 302, and the tool 6 is transferred to and from the delivery external holding part 51A by moving in the radial direction with respect to the delivery external holding part 51A.

  Although not shown, each internal holding portion 41 in the internal magazine 4 and each external holding portion 51 in the external magazine 5 are each provided with a switch for detecting the presence or absence of the tool 6. Then, the control device of the machining center 2 detects whether or not the tool 6 is set in the internal holding part 41 or the external holding part 51 and transfers the tool 6 between the internal magazine 4 and the external magazine 5. It can be carried out. In the tool change program operation, when the presence / absence of the tool 6 in the internal magazine 4 and the external magazine 5 is not normal, a warning, an abnormal stop, or the like can be performed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the number of internal holding portions 41 formed in the internal magazine 4 is larger than the number of external holding portions 51 formed in the external magazine 5. The tool exchanging mechanism 1 leaves a predetermined number of tools 6 necessary for processing the next type of work in the internal magazine 4 and supplies a shortage of tools 6Y required for processing the next type of work from the external magazine 5 to the internal magazine. 4, and a tool 6 </ b> X unnecessary for processing the next type of workpiece is transferred from the internal magazine 4 to the external magazine 5.
In this example, a plurality of tools 6 required for the internal magazine 4 are held with respect to the external magazine 5 outside the machining center 2, and the external magazine 5 is transported to the machining center 2 by a transport carriage or the like.

Next, a method for exchanging the tool 6X held in the internal magazine 4 with another tool 6Y using the tool exchanging mechanism 1 will be described.
When the type of workpiece to be machined in the machining center 2 is changed, a tool 6X unnecessary for the next type of workpiece is taken out from the internal magazine 4 as a setup for machining, and the tool 6Y necessary for the next type of workpiece is held in the internal magazine 4 Let At this time, out of the plurality of tools 6 held in the internal magazine 4, the tool 6 used for machining the next type of workpiece is suspended and held in the internal holding portion 41.
In this tool replacement method, the tool 6 is replaced by performing the following loading process, transfer process, and unloading process.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the carrying-in process, a tool 6 </ b> Y (necessary for the internal magazine 4) used for processing the next type of workpiece in the machining center 2 is applied to the plurality of external holding portions 51 in the external magazine 5 outside the machining center 2. Tool 6Y) is held. At this time, in the external magazine 5, an empty state in which the tool 6 is not held is formed for at least one external holding portion 51. Then, the external magazine 5 is carried into the processing table 21, and the external magazine 5 is clamped and fixed to the processing table 21 by the clamping means 22.

In the transfer process, the tool 6X unnecessary for processing the next type of workpiece is transferred from the internal magazine 4 to the external magazine 5 by moving the rotary spindle 3, and the tool required for processing the next type of workpiece. 6Y is transferred from the external magazine 5 to the internal magazine 4. This transfer process can be automatically performed by operating a program input in the control device of the machining center 2.
In the carry-out process, the clamp fixing of the clamping means 22 on the processing table 21 is released, the external magazine 5 is detached from the processing table 21 and is carried out of the machining center 2.

Below, the operation | movement in a transfer process is explained in full detail with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 7, before the transfer process is performed, a state in which the tool 6 is not gripped is formed on the rotary spindle 3.
The control device controls the internal magazine 4 to rotate the internal holding portion 41 that holds the tool 6X unnecessary for processing the next type of workpiece to the internal delivery position 401. In addition, the control device stops the rotation of the rotation main shaft 3 at the first rotation position 301 and changes the direction of the rotation-preventing portion 32 to the groove in the delivery internal holding portion 41 </ b> A that is the internal holding portion 41 rotated to the internal delivery position 401. It is made to correspond with the direction of the engaging part 44 (key groove 63 of the tool 6X).

  Next, the control device lowers the rotation main shaft 3 after moving it to above the delivery internal holding portion 41A, clamps the gripping portion 31 of the rotation main shaft 3, and holds the tool 6X held by the delivery internal holding portion 41A. Is held by the rotary spindle 3. Next, the control device moves the rotary spindle 3 holding the tool 6X in the tool transfer direction D1 with respect to the delivery internal holding portion 41A, receives the tool 6X from the delivery internal holding portion 41A, and moves to a predetermined position.

Further, the control device controls the processing table 21 to rotate the empty external holding portion 51 that does not hold the tool 6 in the external magazine 5 fixed to the processing table 21 to the external delivery position 501.
Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the control device rotates the rotation spindle 3 from the first rotation position 301, stops the rotation at the second rotation position 302, and changes the direction of the rotation stop portion 32 to the external delivery position 501. The direction of the groove engaging portion 54 in the delivery external holding portion 51A, which is the rotated external holding portion 51, is matched. Then, the control device moves the rotating spindle 3 holding the tool 6X in the tool transfer direction D2 with respect to the delivery external holding part 51A, puts the holding part 31 of the rotating spindle 3 in an unclamped state, and then delivers the empty delivery external part. The tool 6X is delivered to the holding unit 51A. Next, the control device makes the rotary spindle 3 that does not hold the tool 6 stand by at a raised position.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the control device controls the machining table 21 and rotates the external holding unit 51 holding another tool 6Y used for machining the next type of workpiece to the external delivery position 501. Then, the control device lowers the rotation main shaft 3, puts the grip portion 31 of the rotation main shaft 3 into a clamped state, and attaches another tool 6 </ b> Y held by the delivery external holding portion 51 </ b> A to the grip portion 31 of the rotation main shaft 3. To grip.
Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the control device moves the rotation main shaft 3 that holds another tool 6Y in the tool transfer direction D2 with respect to the delivery external holding portion 51A, and moves the tool 6Y from the delivery external holding portion 51A to another tool 6Y. And move to a predetermined standby position. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the control device rotates the rotation main shaft 3 from the second rotation position 302 and stops the rotation at the first rotation position 301.

Next, as shown in the figure, the control device moves the rotation main shaft 3 in the tool transfer direction D1 with respect to the delivery internal holding portion 41A, and receives another tool 6Y gripped by the rotation main shaft 3 to the delivery internal holding portion 41A. hand over. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the control device puts the gripping portion 31 of the rotating spindle 3 into the unclamped state, raises the rotating spindle 3 above the delivery internal holding portion 41A, and then rotates the internal magazine 4. Then, the internal holding portion 41 that holds another tool 6X that is unnecessary for processing the next type of work is rotated to the internal delivery position 401.
Next, the control device lowers the rotating spindle 3 that does not grip the tool 6 to the delivery internal holding part 41A, then puts the gripping part 31 in a clamped state, and puts another tool 6X that is held in the delivery internal holding part 41A into the rotating spindle 3 To grip.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the control device moves the rotation main shaft 3 that holds another tool 6X in the tool transfer direction D1 of the delivery internal holding portion 41A, and then moves from the delivery internal holding portion 41A to another tool 6X. Receive. Then, the control device moves the rotation main shaft 3 to a predetermined standby position, then rotates the rotation main shaft 3 from the first rotation position 301 and stops the rotation at the second rotation position 302.
Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the control device moves the rotation main shaft 3 that holds another tool 6 </ b> X in the tool transfer direction D <b> 2 of the delivery external holding portion 51 </ b> A in an empty state, Another tool 6X is delivered to the holding unit 51A.

Thereafter, the control device can repeat the same operation as described above.
Thus, in this example, by repeating the cooperative operation of the rotary spindle 3, the internal magazine 4, and the machining table 21, a plurality of tools 6 unnecessary for machining the next type of workpiece can be transferred from the internal magazine 4 to the external magazine. A plurality of tools 6 necessary for processing the next type of workpiece can be transferred from the external magazine 5 to the internal magazine 4.

  In this example, an empty external holding portion 51 that does not hold the tool 6 in the external magazine 5 is formed, and a tool 6X that is unnecessary for processing the next type of work in the internal magazine 4 is formed in the external magazine. The order of transferring the tool 6Y necessary for processing the next type of workpiece from the external magazine 5 to the internal magazine 5 after transferring to the internal magazine 5 has been described. In addition to this, when there is an empty internal holding portion 41 in the internal magazine 4, the tool 6 </ b> Y necessary for processing the next type of work in the external magazine 5 is transferred to the internal magazine 4, and then the internal magazine 4. It is also possible to transfer a tool 6X unnecessary for processing the next type of workpiece from the magazine 4 to the external magazine 5.

In the tool exchange mechanism 1 and the tool exchange method of this example, in the setup work for changing the type of workpiece to be machined, when the tool 6X unnecessary for the next machining and the tool 6Y necessary for the next machining are exchanged. In addition, the rotating magazine 3 of the machining center 2 is used by using the external magazine 5 holding the tool 6Y necessary for the next machining. When the external magazine 5 is installed on the processing table 21, the unnecessary tool 6X in the internal holding part 41 is transferred to the external holding part 51 and the necessary tool 6Y in the external holding part 51 is moved by the movement of the rotary spindle 3. Is transferred to the internal holding part 41.
Thereby, when exchanging the tool 6, it is not necessary to separately use an apparatus for performing the exchanging, and the machining center 2 can be prevented from being enlarged and the tool 6 can be exchanged extremely easily.

  In addition, since the tool 6 is exchanged by the rotation spindle 3, the exchange operation of the tool 6 between the internal magazine 4 and the external magazine 5 can be performed automatically by a program in the machining center 2. Thereby, the time required for exchanging the tool 6 can be extremely shortened, and the productivity in the machining center 2 can be improved.

Further, the rotary spindle 3 only needs to move to the internal delivery position 401 when delivering the tool 6 to and from the internal magazine 4. When delivering the tool 6 to and from the external magazine 5, the rotary spindle 3 is always external. What is necessary is just to move to the delivery position 501. Further, the internal magazine 4 can sequentially index (send out) each internal holding portion 41 holding the tool 6X unnecessary for processing the next type of workpiece to the internal delivery position 401. Further, the machining table 21 can sequentially index (send out) each external holding portion 51 holding the tool 6Y necessary for machining the next type of workpiece to the external delivery position 501.
Therefore, when exchanging the tool 6, it is possible to shorten the path along which the rotary spindle 3 moves and to shorten the time required for exchanging the tool 6.

Moreover, the tool exchange mechanism 1 and the tool exchange method of this example can exchange the tool 6 using the control function of the control device in the machining center 2, the operation of the rotary spindle 3 and the machining table 21. Therefore, it can be easily added to the existing machining center 2.
Therefore, according to the tool exchange mechanism 1 and the tool exchange method and the external magazine 5 of the present example, it is possible to prevent complication of the apparatus, reduce the time required for exchanging the tool 6, and improve the productivity in the machining center 2. Can do.

  It should be noted that the shapes of the rotation spindle 3 and the tool 6 can be various shapes other than those shown in FIGS. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a shank portion 66 is provided at the upper end portion of the tool 6, and a holding portion 314 for holding the shank portion 66 is provided in the holding portion 31 of the rotating spindle 3 instead of the holding portion 313. Can do. Also in this case, the key groove 63 of the tool 6 and the rotation stop portion 32 of the rotation main shaft 3 can be provided at appropriate places.

(Example 2)
This example shows an example in which the configuration of the rotating spindle 3, the internal magazine 4, the external magazine 5, and the like is different from that of the first embodiment.
For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the direction of the groove engaging portion 44 in the delivery internal holding portion 41A and the direction of the groove engaging portion 54 in the delivery external holding portion 5A are both in the front-rear direction of the machining center 2. Configure. Then, in a state where the delivery internal holding part 41A of the internal magazine 4 and the delivery external holding part 5A of the external magazine 5 are opposed to each other in the front-rear direction, the rotation main shaft 3 is in a rotational position in which the rotation stop part 32 faces in the front-rear direction. The tool 6 can be delivered by moving linearly between the delivery internal holding part 41A and the delivery external holding part 51A.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, an auxiliary magazine 45 provided with an auxiliary holding portion 451 for holding the tool 6 on both sides is arranged facing the internal magazine 4, and the auxiliary magazine 45 is used by using the auxiliary moving shaft 46. The tool 6 is transferred between the one auxiliary holding portion 451A of the auxiliary magazine 45 and the internal magazine 4, and the tool 6 is transferred between the other auxiliary holding portion 451B of the auxiliary magazine 45 and the external magazine 5 using the rotation main shaft 3. It can be configured to deliver. Also in this case, the direction of the groove engaging portion 44 in the delivery internal holding portion 41A and the direction of the groove engaging portion 54 in the delivery external holding portion 5A are both configured to be in the front-rear direction of the machining center 2.

Then, the rotation main shaft 3 is set to a rotational position in which the rotation stop portion 32 faces in the front-rear direction, and the tool 6 is delivered by moving linearly between the delivery external holding portion 5A and the other auxiliary holding portion 451B. Can do. The internal magazine 4 can be configured such that each internal holding portion 41 is sequentially circulated to the internal delivery position 401 by two rotating portions 47.
In this example, the rotation position of the rotation main shaft 3 can be kept constant, the rotation main shaft 3 can be moved linearly and the tool 6 can be delivered, the movement path of the rotation main shaft 3 can be shortened, and the tool 6 can be replaced. It is possible to reduce the time required for
Also in this example, other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tool exchange mechanism 2 Machining center 21 Processing table 3 Rotation main shaft 301 1st rotation position 302 2nd rotation position 31 Gripping part 32 Rotating part 4 Internal magazine 401 Internal delivery position 41 Internal holding part 41A Delivery internal holding part 5 External magazine 501 External Delivery position 51 External holding part 51A Delivery external holding part 54 Groove engaging part 6 Tool 60 Tool body part 61 Grasping part 62 Flange part 63 Key groove 64 Auxiliary key groove

Claims (8)

An internal magazine provided with a plurality of internal holding portions for holding a tool, and a rotation spindle for gripping any of the plurality of tools held in the internal magazine and performing three-dimensional movement and rotation processing A tool change mechanism configured in a machining center,
The machining center includes an external magazine that is detachably installed on a processing table configured to rotate, and the external magazine includes a plurality of external holding portions for holding the tool.
The plurality of internal holding portions are arranged circumferentially in the internal magazine, and the internal magazine circulates the plurality of internal holding portions and sequentially sets each internal holding portion to a specific internal delivery position. It is structured so that it can be determined.
The plurality of external holding portions are arranged circumferentially in the external magazine, and the external magazine is arranged on the processing table such that the center of the circle of the plurality of external holding portions coincides with the rotation center of the processing table. The processing table is configured to circulate the plurality of external holding units so that each external holding unit can be sequentially indexed to a specific external delivery position.
Both the rotation axis of the internal magazine and the rotation axis of the processing table are provided in the vertical direction, and are arranged in parallel to each other.
The rotation main shaft delivers a tool to the delivery internal holding unit that is the internal holding unit moved to the internal delivery position, and also to the delivery external holding unit that is the external holding unit moved to the external delivery position. It is configured to deliver tools to the
The internal delivery position and the external delivery position are set at positions where the delivery opening in the delivery internal holding part and the delivery opening in the delivery external holding part face each other,
The external magazine when placed in the working table, a tool in the delivery internal holder by moving the rotary spindle while gripped by the main spindle and transferred to the transfer external retention part, the said delivery external holding part A tool exchanging mechanism for a machining center, wherein the tool is gripped by the rotation main shaft and moved to the delivery internal holding portion by moving the rotation main shaft . In claim 1, all of the tools are formed with holding grooves at one or a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction as a common part,
The plurality of internal holding portions are configured to direct a groove engaging portion that engages with the holding groove in a certain direction when moved to the internal delivery position,
The tool changing mechanism of a machining center, wherein the plurality of external holding portions are configured to direct a groove engaging portion that engages with the holding groove in a certain direction when moved to the external delivery position . 3. The machining center according to claim 2, wherein the rotation spindle is configured to deliver a tool between the delivery internal holding unit and the delivery external holding unit with a rotational position thereof being constant . Tool change mechanism. The rotation main shaft according to claim 2, wherein the rotation main shaft is set to the first rotation position, the tool is transferred to and from the delivery internal holding portion, and the rotation position is set to the second rotation position to perform the transfer. A tool exchanging mechanism for a machining center, wherein the tool is transferred to and from an external holding unit . An internal magazine provided with a plurality of internal holding portions for holding a tool, and a rotation spindle for gripping any of the plurality of tools held in the internal magazine and performing three-dimensional movement and rotation processing A tool change method used in a machining center,
  In the machining center, using an external magazine that is detachably installed on a processing table configured to rotate, the external magazine is formed with a plurality of external holding portions for holding the tool,
  The plurality of internal holding portions are arranged circumferentially in the internal magazine, and the internal magazine circulates the plurality of internal holding portions and sequentially sets each internal holding portion to a specific internal delivery position. To be able to figure out,
  The plurality of external holding portions are arranged circumferentially in the external magazine, and the external magazine is arranged on the processing table such that the center of the circle of the plurality of external holding portions coincides with the rotation center of the processing table. The processing table is configured to circulate the plurality of external holding units so that each external holding unit can be sequentially indexed to a specific external delivery position.
  The pivot axis of the internal magazine and the pivot axis of the processing table are both provided in the vertical direction and arranged in parallel to each other.
  The rotation main shaft delivers a tool to the delivery internal holding unit that is the internal holding unit moved to the internal delivery position, and also to the delivery external holding unit that is the external holding unit moved to the external delivery position. Configured to deliver tools to the
  The internal delivery position and the external delivery position are set at positions where the delivery opening in the delivery internal holding part and the delivery opening in the delivery external holding part face each other,
  Outside the machining center, after a tool is held in the plurality of external holding portions in the external magazine, a carrying-in step of carrying the external magazine into the processing table and installing it;
  The tool in the delivery internal holding unit is gripped by the rotation main shaft, and the rotation main shaft is moved and transferred to the delivery external holding unit, and the tool in the delivery external holding unit is gripped by the rotation main shaft and the rotation main shaft. A transfer step of moving the transfer to the delivery internal holding unit,
  A method for exchanging a tool for a machining center, comprising a carry-out step of carrying out the external magazine from the processing table. In claim 5, all of the tools are formed with holding grooves at one or a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction as a common part,
  The plurality of internal holding portions are configured to direct a groove engaging portion that engages with the holding groove in a certain direction when moved to the internal delivery position,
  The machining method for a machining center according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of external holding portions are configured such that the groove engaging portions that engage with the holding grooves are directed in a certain direction when moved to the external delivery position. 7. The transfer process according to claim 6, wherein in the transfer step, the rotation main shaft transfers a tool between the delivery internal holding unit and the delivery external holding unit with a constant rotational position. Machining center tool replacement method. In claim 6, in the transfer step, the rotation main shaft sets the rotation position to the first rotation position, delivers the tool to and from the delivery internal holding portion, and sets the rotation position to the second rotation position. A tool change method for a machining center, wherein the tool is transferred to and from the transfer external holding unit in a rotational position.

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